If the kids are old enough, book a tour with A Tour of Possibilities to learn about Black history in Memphis. You could also do a self-guided tour of civil rights sites like these: 

• I AM A MAN Plaza at Clayborn Temple
• MLK Reflection Park 
• Mason Temple
• National Civil Rights Museum (the plaza is free to access and outdoors)
• Six-Story Black History Mural

2. Walk the Wolf River Greenway (FREE) 

Take the kids somewhere they haven't been to explore the outdoors this Spring Break—the Wolf River Greenway has multiple sections all over town, including Mud Island, Epping Way, Kennedy Park, and Walnut Grove. Check out the list and get a map here. 

3. Ride the Main Street Trolley ($1 each way per person) 

The kids will love a ride down Main Street on the Memphis vintage trolley system—and it's only a buck each way. You can hop on at one end and ride to the other end and see all the sights in between. Read more here and see a map here. 

4. Children's Museum Spring Spectacular ($15 per person)

The Children’s Museum of Memphis is always a good spot to take the kiddos. CMOM offers fun activities daily in addition to their play areas. March is National Reading Month so they will be offering a variety of activities such as Sculpt Your Own Story Character, DIY Bookmarks, Turtle Suncatchers, and an art project where children design their own book cover and tell a story related to the cover.  Check out their new exhibit Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Inventions now through May 7, 2023. This exhibit is a collection of new 3D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that kids are sure to love.

5. Spring Break Camp At Memphis Zoo ($235/member, $265/nonmembers)

A spring break experience a child is guaranteed to remember. Memphis Zoo offers a camp from March 13-17 from 9am-3pm each day. Campers will get to visit different homes to discover what each has to offer plus pitstops along the way to meet some fun animals.  Details here.

6. Go Outside And Play (free)

There's nothing like a good old fashioned day at the playground to burn some energy and (hopefully) soak up the sun. Even if you need a jacket, it’s worth it to get moving. Try one of these: 

• Discovery Week at Overton Park (This is really cool. Overton Park Conservancy is hosting its first-ever Discovery Week! Each day they are hosting different activities to spark curiosity, make new friends, and appreciate the natural environment surrounding us. Take advantage of this opportunity!
• Rainbow Lake Playground at Overton Park
• River Garden at Mississippi River Park
• Shelby Forest State Park
• Germantown Municipal Park
• My Big Backyard at Memphis Botanic Garden
• Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms 
• Tobey Park Skate Park
• Raleigh Springs Civic Center Skate Park
• Play Pickleball

7. Let Kids Burn Off All That Energy At Run 'n' Fun Camp ($175/Camper)

We get it. The kids are going to have a lot of energy and wiggles to burn being out of school. The brand new Memphis Sports and Events Center is providing a week-long Spring break camp. The kids will get to enjoy an abundance of activities that include sports, arts, fitness, and more! Details here.

8. Spring break it at MoSH! ($18 ADULTS, $13 KIDS) and Lichterman ($12 ADULTS, $8 KIDS)

The Museum of Science and History has multiple activities during Spring Break in Memphis this year! Check out their latest exhibit, Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine.

Looking for a camp opportunity? Ring in spring at Lichterman Nature Center with a fun and engaging day camp experience for current 1st – 8th graders! Campers will enjoy science labs, live animal presentations, historical explorations with artifacts and specimens, crafts, team building, and more! Details here.

9. Go on a Kid-Friendly Food Crawl (prices vary)

Most food and pub crawls are for grown-ups, but what about a kid-friendly food crawl at several local restaurants?  Here are a few that kids will love:

• Belly Acres - and Sweet Noshings in Overton Square
• A Schwab and Beale Sweets Sugar Shack on Beale Street 
• Elwood's Shack and La Michaocana on Summer Ave
• Kooky Canuck (downtown or Cordova) 
• Soul Fish Cafe (multiple locations)
• Jerry's Sno Cones
• Huey's (bring a sharpie to sign the wall, try to shoot a toothpick in the ceiling!) 

10. Visit the Dixon Gallery & Gardens (free!)

Did you know that the Dixon Gallery & Gardens is still free?! Take the whole family to peruse the gardens, walk through the pathways, see the flowers—tulips may be blooming soon—and the sculptures. Take the bucks you saved on admission and grab some lunch, coffee, or a treat from the cafe. Check out their kid and teen friendly programming here.

11. Find a museum or attraction you haven't been to. (prices vary)

Spend a few afternoons at some of these charming kid-friendly Memphis attractions.

• The Fire Museum downtown is especially great for younger kids.
• The Lichterman Nature Center in East Memphis features trails and a wildlife center
• The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa gives a glimpse into the area's original Native American inhabitants and is adjacent to lots of picnic-friendly places.
• The Memphis Zoo is pretty packed during Spring Break, but I wanted to mention it here as a perfect Memphis family fun idea in general!

12. Put the kids behind the wheel. 

Try the classic outdoor cart tracks at Golf & Games on Summer Avenue or take the older kids to the high-speed F1-inspired track at Autobahn Indoor Speedway.

 

 

 

 

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13. Take a trip to a local bookstore or the library.

Memphis has quite a few. Check out the guide to local Memphis bookstores here. Most are near great local restaurants (Novel even has a cafe inside) so plan to get some lunch afterwards!

A Few Other Ideas. I'm Just Going To List Them.

• Ride the elevator at the Bass Pro Pyramid 
• Check out Main Event Entertainment or Dave & Buster’s during family friendly hours (bowling, arcade, laser tag, etc.) 
• Take a picture at an I Love Memphis mural 
• Ride the Greenline or the Wolf River Greenways.
• Sign up to volunteer and give back to Memphis.

What's the best Spring Break you (or your kids) ever had in Memphis? Tell me in the comments.